In April 1939, this award was instituted to commemorate the bravery of the German volunteers in the Spanish civil war. 1,126 awards in gold with swords were granted. It is marked L56 on the reverse for the maker Robert Hauschild of Pforzheim.

It weighs 30 grams, the arms of the cross are 55 mm wide and the swords are 62 mm. It has most of its original gilt finish on base metal of some sort, probably gilding metal. A small piece of metal has become detached from the back of the clip by the hinge - I shall try and include just this little piece in an extra photograph in due course. The frailty of the piece contributes to my view that this is totally original.

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